Johnny Murtagh, the jockey of Melbourne Cup topweight Septimus, rates the horse ''in a league of its own'' and destined for victory today.
Murtagh, who has ridden some of the best horses in the world in some of the best races in the world, yesterday dismissed suggestions Septimus would become another high-profile northern hemisphere raider to fail in Australia's greatest race.
The jockey described the horse as superior to Double Trigger, the champion English stayer who failed as favourite in the 1995 Melbourne Cup despite carrying similar raps to what Septimus does this year.
''Septimus would be in a different class to Double Trigger,'' Murtagh said.
''He's got more brilliance, more speed, more class.
''We think Septimus is the horse to win the Melbourne Cup, because he's got everything you need to do so.''
Murtagh confirmed he would push forward on Septimus in today's race but would ideally refrain from leading.
The confident Irishman wouldn't hear of talk the horse would struggle to handle Australian conditions.
''The Australians think they're the best sportspeople in the world, so I'm looking forward to coming and beating them in their own backyard,'' Murtagh said.
''We want to be in the box seat passing the post the first time, just like the Aussies. This horse is very special.''
On an eventful Melbourne Cup eve, Septimus continued to drift in betting markets, out to $6 on ACTTAB Sportsbet.
The Luca Cumani-trained Mad Rush retained favouritism at $5.50.
Dermot Weld's mare Profound Beauty shortened further into $7.50 after $130,000 worth of bets were made on her yesterday, while Septimus' stablemate Honolulu firmed into $21 after a bet of $12,000 at $26 was accepted, risking a $300,000 payout. The field was reduced to 22 runners after Sydney mare Zarita and overseas entrant Yellowstone were scratched due to injury.
Septimus' trainer Aidan O'Brien had no doubt the horse would be at his peak and prove just how talented he is.
''I think we'll all find out tomorrow how good he is,'' he said.
''For us, he's unbelievable. He's been an unbelievable revelation ever since we stepped him up to mile-and-a-half races.
''We're looking forward to seeing what he does at Flemington.''
The smile of Cups king Bart Cummings, who turns 81 in 10 days' time, grew wider when he woke to solid rain in Melbourne yesterday.
Cummings' gallopers Viewed and Moatize will become the trainer's 77th and 78th Melbourne Cup runners in the 50 years since he first had a starter.
Both have handy wet track form, which may prove vital if more rain arrives as forecast at Flemington this morning.
Cummings tipped Mad Rush as the horse to beat but believed his two gallopers were both in with a chance.
''If it keeps raining it will keep the Irish happy to have the track a bit heavier for them, and it will keep me happy,'' he said.
''The horses are going well and I'm happy with both of them, but it's going to be hard for an Australian to win this year.''
The best of the locals looms as Barbaricus, which ran third in the Caulfield Cup 17 days ago and second in the Mackinnon Stakes at Flemington on Saturday.
His jockey, Stephen Baster, predicted he would enjoy the perfect run behind the pace today and be able to challenge the leaders whenever he liked.
''We'll be parked just behind them, nice and handy, and he'll be ready to go,'' Baster said.
''Danny O'Brien will have the horse cherry ripe and I'm excited about his prospects.''
Barbaricus is the second-shortest priced Australian galloper at $18, behind Zipping at $15.